Keep similar code on multiple systems consistent within the database itself.

All old contrib modules are now extensions (all v1.0 that I've seen so far).

- Reverting an update is only possible if the extension author provides a means to do so.

- Any language, just like postgres functions (C, Perl, Python, etc)

- Tables currently intended for configuration information, so not dumped with pg_dump except when a flag is set. And when that's set, it dumps its data with schema dumps. Needs work.

PG Jobmon

PostgreSQL Extension

Autonomous Functions

Log steps of running functions

Monitor logged functions to ensure completion

If/When they fail, where and why

Autonomous function is being able to commit multiple times within a single run of a function. Oracle allows this. If any part of a function fails before it completes successfully in postgres, everything that function did is rolled back. Has its advantages, but for long running functions this can start to cause locks, especially if you run any DDL within the function.

DBlink is an extension that lets you connect to another postgres database from within the database.

Each connection to postgres has its own transaction block. So connect back to itself, and you can get something like autonomous function capabilities.

Log steps of a running function. If/when something breaks, would normally roll back all those logged steps. This provides a way to keep those steps around even when it fails.

Provides audit trail of what happened and monitoring capabilities.

PG Jobmon

add_job('job name');

add_step(job_id, 'What this step will do');
... do some stuff ...update_step(step_id, 'good_status', 'What this step did successfully');

add_step(job_id, 'What this next step will do');
... do some stuff in a loop ...update_step(step_id, 'good_status', 'update every loop iteration to track progress');

add_step(job_id, 'One last step');
... do just a bit more stuff ...update_step(step_id, 'good_status', 'Job finished ok');

Mimeo

Per-table Replication Extension

“The stencil duplicator or mimeograph machine (often abbreviated to mimeo) is a low-cost printing press that works by forcing ink through a stencil onto paper...Mimeographs were a common technology in printing small quantities, as in office work, classroom materials, and church bulletins.” – Wikipedia

Streaming & Log shipping replication are all-or-nothing

Bucardo & Slony are another solution, but requires a lot more setup and can be intimidating to new users or someone that just needs to copy a few tables. Also require superuser.

Logical Replication slots in 9.4 great start to having built in. BDR even better.